Why are study techniques important?
Well, but before that, I’ll explain a little better how study techniques are important in this process. Tips for study techniques
You already know that people have less and less time. On the other hand, in universities and in the job market, more and more knowledge and depth are required.
In the end, people need to learn more and better, in less time. That’s where study techniques come in.
These are tools or methods that help to optimize the study routine and fix content in less time. In other words, they are strategies that improve the quality of the learning process. Tips for study techniques
In general, among the benefits of study techniques are:
- Organize the study routine;
- Enhance results;
- Achieve specific goals;
- Increase motivation to study;
- Optimize the time available to study;
- Reduce energy costs.
Just with that, you can see that you can’t stay out of this subject, right?
14 study tips
Here are 15 study tips to optimize your routine and improve your results:
1. Make mind maps
In general, mind mapping is a technique for organizing and memorizing ideas through a visual structure .
The main objective of this tool is to enhance the brain’s ability to store knowledge and develop logical reasoning.
In summary, the technique consists of choosing a main theme for the center and, from there, branching other keywords that relate to the sides. Tips for study techniques
That is, the main theme is the central point or node, in which other ideas interconnect.
The benefits of the mind map stem especially from its visual structure. From creativity and necessity, you can build mind maps in many ways: with text, arrows, geometric shapes, images, colors, in short.
In other words: through a map it is possible to assemble diagrams, concept flows, text and graphics skeletons. All to help and structure ideas.
2. Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system . The proposal is that people work with the time they have – and not against time.
The idea behind this technique is quite simple: it is understood that smaller blocks of workflows improve brain agility and stimulate focus. Tips for study techniques
For this reason, the technique consists of using a stopwatch to divide the work or study day into 25-minute blocks. There should be a 5-minute break for each block. And every four blocks of 25 minutes, you should take a longer break of 20 to 30 minutes.
That’s because, as you already know, the method starts from the idea that frequent breaks can intensify mental agility.
In the same sense, breaks prevent you from feeling the exhaustion at the end of the day, you know? The timer will force you to get up, take a breath, and then return to work.
What’s more, you must focus on a single task. Without shifting focus to doing other things.
In 25-minute blocks, you can’t unfocused. So, no checking emails, answering WhatsApp, accessing Instagram or any other activity.
3. Make entries
Another tip is to make notes of important texts that you need to read. Tips for study techniques
The record can even be a great instrument in the stage of construction of the theoretical framework of the TCC, dissertation or thesis.
That’s because, by using it, you can organize your ideas and have control over all the content you’ve already accessed on the topic. As the name implies, it means “to organize in cards”.
So, it may seem complicated and laborious at first, but later you realize that it is a hand in the wheel to save time and help you in the work development process.
4. Know your creative process
Academic life requires a good dose of creativity, which ranges from the choice of topics to the production of infinite academic works with quality and originality.
Knowing your creative process will help you a lot to develop your skills as a university student and optimize your study time.
In general, the creative process is a structuring process for the development of creative activities: from the emergence of the idea to the realization of the project. Tips for study techniques
Once you know and define your own creative process, it becomes much easier to direct efforts to the steps of this process. In the end, you optimize your time and improve your productivity .
Not to mention that defining a creative process with very well-structured steps prevents you from getting stuck in creative blocks.
5. Use printed materials
Although computers and technology can greatly facilitate some processes, there is a consensus in science that printed materials help in the effectiveness of studies.
One of the hypotheses that justifies this is that the speed of the brain does not follow the speed of typing on the keyboard. Unlike writing, with a pencil or pen, which is slower.
What’s more, other surveys indicate that people prefer to study from printed materials.
There is still research that concluded that students who study from digital materials need to repeat more often compared to those who study with paper. Tips for study techniques
6. Try to avoid distractions
To direct the focus of studies, it is important to avoid possible distractions. This will vary from person to person, right? Some people are distracted by noises from the television, the street… anyway.
In general, it’s always good to turn off notifications so you don’t get interrupted every 10 seconds.
7. Make and follow a study plan
Undoubtedly, a study plan is an important tool to increase productivity and ensure compliance with deadlines for all tasks.
After all, it serves as a guide to direct the actions and activities necessary to achieve the ultimate goal. But of course. It is not enough to make a study plan. You especially need to stick to it.
So, in general, the three most relevant pieces of information in the plan are: Tips for study techniques
- the tasks you need to complete;
- the time interval you must do each task;
- the deadline to complete each specific task.
The important thing is that you keep two organizations in mind: a daily and/or weekly organization and a broader organization.
The daily or weekly organization of your schedule is the most practical context. It should help you to know what you should do for the day and week.
And another broader organization that can provide you with an overview of deadlines for each stage of the work, for example. Always keeping in mind the deadline of your end goal, which is the most important deadline of all.
You can make a simple table with the execution order, task name, start date and end date.
8. Avoid learning illusions
Some study techniques just don’t work. Others are misused. In all these cases, it is possible to feel the illusion of learning. Tips for study techniques
The illusion of learning makes the brain think that the person is absorbing content, when, in fact, he is not.
An example of a learning illusion is underlining the entire text. Research suggests underlining a line or at most a few specific words. The ideal is to pull an arrow from the text and write a little about the idea you just read.
Another learning illusion is reading and rereading the text many times. Other research indicates that the best way to assimilate content is to read, recall the content after a while, and then read it again.
9. Try to make connections between ideas
A great way to understand and absorb content is to create connections between ideas. This method of contextual learning is called . Tips for study techniques
In practice, this process consists of relating information to factual, political and economic contexts. In fact, each student will create their own method and contextualization parameters, based on the knowledge they already have.
So, for example, it is much simpler to understand mathematical problems that relate facts from everyday life to students. When they relate to objects and facts from their routines, students can better absorb the technique.
10. Use the Leitner system
The Leitner system uses flashcards to help students absorb content. In short, it is for people to learn from methods of repetition.
In practice, you should put all the question cards in box 1. Then you should try to answer all the questions. If the answer is correct, the card must go to box 2. If it is wrong, the card must go to box 1. And so on. If the answer is wrong, the card must return to the previous box.
The idea is that the questions you have to answer more often are the questions you get wrong.
11. Evaluate your progress and test your knowledge
The importance of solving exercises and simulated activities is scientifically proven. The best way to learn is, therefore, to write down the main ideas, do spaced rereads and do simulations. Tips for study techniques
The resolution of questions is fundamental to test and evaluate knowledge. In the end, you will know which content you need to dedicate more depth to.
Even scientific research indicates that it is important to do simulations and solve exercises with closed books and computers turned off. The process of trial and error is essential for the absorption of knowledge.
12. Explain the ideas to someone
There is a consensus in science that people learn more when they study actively. This means that a person learns much more when teaching something to someone, rather than passively learning content.
Since the person needs to develop remembrance techniques and didactic ways of exposing the content. That way, the chance of assimilating the content is much greater.
So, all practices that involve this engagement are more effective than simply reading or listening to the explanation. Tips for study techniques
13. Sleeping is also part of the learning process
Sometimes, the routine during undergraduate and graduate studies can be very tiring, as it is necessary to reconcile studies, extracurricular courses, internships and more other activities that consume time and energy.
So, by eliminating tiredness, sleep can be a good way to help clear your head and get your mind ready to focus on problem solving.
When you feel exhausted, try to take time to rest. I’m sure you’ll come back more active to find new and good ideas.
14. Create a stimulating environment for yourself
Some people need silence, others need stimulation. Some people prefer to work in a clean and organized environment, others feel better in environments with a lot of information. Tips for study techniques
Well then. There are many ways to create a stimulating environment for learning and the setup will depend on exactly what works best for each person’s process.
But regardless of how it is, it’s important to create a space where you feel stimulated to learn. At this point, you can even study about chromotherapy, furniture arrangement and sunlight, and studies about scents and essential oils, anyway.
It’s important to find the one that best suits your needs
However, it is also important to change the study scenario so as not to create dependence on some places. That’s because the brain cannot be dependent on factors like temperature and silence. So, it is important to vary the location.
